Sentence imposed on woman who tried to escape jail

WALLA WALLA -- A County Jail inmate was sentenced Monday to seven months for trying to escape from the facility in November, damaging a cell in the attempt and earlier committing a burglary.

Tonya M. Boffing faced a standard-range jail term of six months to a year. In handing down the sentence, Superior Court Commissioner Mike Mitchell declined to go along with a plea agreement that called for a six-month term, the low end of the range.

Boffing was given credit for the 44 days she's already served and was placed on community custody for up to 12 months when she is released.

Mitchell also ordered Boffing to pay an amount of restitution that will be determined, in addition to $1,656 in fees and fines.

Boffing told Mitchell, "I do have remorse for the crimes I committed." She also said she wants to "be a better member of this community."

Boffing pleaded guilty Dec. 18 to second-degree attempted escape, which is a gross misdemeanor, and second-degree malicious mischief and residential burglary, both felonies.

Officials said she took the grate off an air return duct in the jail cell Nov. 19 and crawled up inside. She also had torn down blinds from the cell window and tried to break the window.

Another inmate reportedly alerted a jail sergeant about 5 p.m., and Boffing was located inside the ductwork. The cell was taken out of service because of the damage.

Boffing, 18, of 1317 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater, initially was jailed in connection with the burglary in the 1000 block of Waverly Street in Walla Walla on Nov. 14.